What a marvel! Ghosh's writing must be at the least as addictive as opium. He is a legendary artist when it comes to painting historical stories on his canvas.The painstaking research, immaculate characterization of different people and their personalities shines through as is usual with Ghosh. Ghosh's beautiful prose makes this book completely irresistible even though its a long read and makes it difficult to put down. The strange plethora of vocabulary in the book is quite fascinating, specially, the pidgin, which is very strange and enchanting and hence, stands out. The beauty of this work lies in the fact that it takes the reader along on the journey it traverses and makes him feel a part of the narrative, during which he develops a sort of camaraderie with the characters. It'd be interesting to know how the story unfolds after this and if it would just span one other book like planned. I read through some of the other reviews, always curious to know if I am alone in my opinions, and completely agree with most of the complaints. This is not quite a continuation of Sea of Poppies, most of the characters from that book are barely mentioned here. The book does drag for the last third or so. It is a little heavy handed drilling home the point on the opium sellers. I won't even mention those letters. But you know what, who cares? The writing is so enjoyable and even though it is lacking just a wee bit from the first book, it is still great. The sights, the sounds, the characters...wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.
Do You like book River Of Smoke (2011)?
More historic than part one but nevertheless beautiful
—TheDragonateer
